I Suppose It Could Be by Grandpa Jim

My Dad always wondered if maybe he had invented instant coffee.

Dad was living in an efficiency apartment on the north side of Chicago in about 1950. This area was often referred to as the "Gold Coast," made up of artists, writers, musicians, etc. Housing was old and a little run-down, and affordable for such struggling people. His apartment was in the basement, sometimes euphemistically called a "garden apartment." He was nearing 70, retired and working part-time at his trade as a photoengraver.

During that period, he was also painting and writing. He wrote a novel, a book of fairy tales, and numerous short stories. Unfortunately, nothing was ever published.

Now, Dad was very fond of his coffee. Some say it was quite strong, and some say he liked a little coffee with his cream or milk. One day, he made his usual pot in a percolator on his tiny, two-burner gas range. When it was done, he emptied the grounds, poured his first cup and turned the gas down low to keep the pot warm.

Later on, he decided to go to a movie and left the apartment. When he came back, probably two hours later, he smelled coffee clear out on the sidewalk and suddenly recalled that he had left the burner on. Coming into his room, he then smelled it even stronger, of course, so he turned off the stove and didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the waste of a whole pot of coffee. When the pot got cool, he opened the lid and looked at it. He described it as resembling a stiff clump of black mud in the bottom.

He couldn't recall the reason he did so, but he decided to put a spoonful of the "mud" into a cup and added some hot water. He always claimed that it was the strongest "stuff" he ever drank, but with about 2/3rds cream in it, it was acceptable. Barely.

Google tells me that a Japanese man, Satori Kato invented instant coffee in 1901. Dad must have known, obviously, that instant coffee already existed in 1950. But maybe he needed an excuse to tell a story on himself. I may have inherited that trait, do you think?

In another post I want to share with you a method Dad DID invent that has to do with graphics.
It also involves his little apartment, his stove, and droplets of steam!